Mineral and Citrate Concentrations in Milk Are Affected by Seasons, Stage of Lactation and Management Practices

Frank R. Dunshea, Glen P. Walker, Roderick Williams and Peter T. Doyle
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Frank R. Dunshea: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
Glen P. Walker: Agriculture Victoria, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Ellinbank 3821, Australia
Roderick Williams: CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, 671 Sneydes Road, Werribee 3030, Australia
Peter T. Doyle: Agriculture Victoria, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Ellinbank 3821, Australia

Agriculture, 2019, vol. 9, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: This study was conducted to examine associations between nutrition, time of year and season of calving on milk mineral concentrations in 24 pasture-based dairy farms. There was substantial variation in the concentrations (mean with range in parentheses) of Ca 1072 (864–1310) mg/kg; citrate 1579 (880–2080) mg/kg; P 885 (640–1040) mg/kg; Mg 98 (73–122) mg/kg; Na 347 (248–554) mg/kg; K 1534 (1250–2010) mg/kg; and S 295 (155–372) mg/kg with most of the variation associated with stage of lactation, although the influence of days in milk was different for different minerals. Feeding practices were also important in determining the concentrations of some components. Milk Ca, citrate, P, and K concentrations were greater ( p < 0.05) in cows receiving mineral supplements, while Ca, P and Mg were positively correlated ( p < 0.05) with the amount of concentrates fed. Milk citrate and K concentrations were positively correlated ( p < 0.05) with herbage allowance. Milk Se (15 (<3–37) µg/kg) and Zn (3.4 (2.2–4.9) mg/kg) also varied with time of year, with Se concentrations also greater (13.7 vs 11.6 µg/kg) in spring compared with autumn calving herds and positively correlated ( p < 0.05) with the amount of concentrates fed and mineral supplementation. These data indicate that calving pattern and feeding practices could be used to reduce variation in the measured milk mineral concentrations.

Keywords: lactation; milk quality; calcium; selenium; minerals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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